WhatsApp will stop working on 47 phone models from 1 January, with the change affecting numerous manufacturers including Samsung, Apple and LG.
After the 31 December, those with certain older phone models will have to get themselves an upgrade if they want to continue using WhatsApp.
Those who have the models will receive a warning message before WhatsApp stops working.
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WhatsApp routinely releases updates that mean the messaging app will stop working on certain devices and operating systems.
A statement from WhatsApp explained: “Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates.
“To choose what to stop supporting, every year we, like other technology companies, look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest number of people still using them. These devices also might not have the latest security updates, or might lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp.
“Before we stop supporting your operating system, you'll be notified directly in WhatsApp ahead of time and reminded a few times to upgrade.”
Back in October, WhatsApp announced a similar update which would mean the app stopped working on older software.
In a statement at the time, WhatsApp said: “To keep up with the latest advances in tech, we routinely stop supporting older operating systems to point our resources to supporting the latest ones."
The latest update, coming into play this weekend, will affect 47 models:
- iPhone 5, 5c
- Archos 53 Platinum
- Grand S Flex ZTE
- Grand X Quad V987 ZTE
- HTC Desire 500
- Huawei Ascend D
- Huawei Ascend D1
- Huawei Ascend D2
- Huawei Ascend G740
- Huawei Ascend Mate
- Huawei Ascend P1
- Quad XL
- Lenovo A820
- LG Enact
- LG Lucid 2
- LG Optimus 4X HD
- LG Optimus F3
- LG Optimus F3Q
- LG Optimus F5
- LG Optimus F6
- LG Optimus F7
- LG Optimus L2 II
- LG Optimus L3 II
- LG Optimus L3 II Dual
- LG Optimus L4 II
- LG Optimus L4 II Dual
- LG Optimus L5
- LG Optimus L5 Dual
- LG Optimus L5 II
- LG Optimus L7
- LG Optimus L7 II
- LG Optimus L7 II Dual
- LG Optimus Nitro HD
- Memo ZTE V956
- Samsung Galaxy Ace 2
- Samsung Galaxy Core
- Samsung Galaxy S2
- Samsung Galaxy S3 mini
- Samsung Galaxy Trend II
- Samsung Galaxy Trend Lite
- Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2
- Sony Xperia Arc S
- Sony Xperia miro
- Sony Xperia Neo L
- Wiko Cink Five
- Wiko Darknight ZT
Topics: UK News, Technology, WhatsApp
Claire Reid